SUICIDE SQUAD review

Ever since its trailer premiered at San Diego Comic-Con in 2015, “Suicide Squad” has been as talked-about and anticipated as any other film. The film picks-up after the events of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”; Amanda Waller sees the dark future heading their way and decides to do something about it. She assembles Task Force X, a group or highly-trained individuals with unique skill-sets; the only problem is: most of them are criminals. This suicide squad, consists of: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Col. Rick Flag, Katana, Enchantress, Slipknot, Killer Croc, and Diablo. Brought-out against their will and by the threat of death, this band of misfits is just a failsafe; until an event calls-them to action to evacuate a HVT. Upon hearing-that his beloved Harley is out of Belle Reve, the Joker will stop at nothing to get her back. Task Force X accomplish their mission, but realize that the stakes have been raised and their jobs are quite finished yet. With absolutely nothing to lose, this team of “bad guys” must come-together to take out the threat, putting themselves in harm’s way; regardless of the consequence.

Will Smith stars as Floyd Lawton/Deadshot, an assassin who has never missed a shot with a weapon. Jared Leto stars as the (beloved) Joker. Leto’s take on the Clown Prince is more maniacal and psychotic than any we’ve seen on film before; I hope he’s back! Margot Robbie plays Mister J’s love, Harley Quinn (originally Dr. Harleen Quinzel). Robbie is phenomenal in the role, providing countless laughs and entertainment; you never know what she’ll say next! Viola Davis stars as Amanda Waller, the manipulative Government agent who is responsible for putting-together Task Force X. Joel Kinnaman plays the unofficial leader of Task Force X, Col. Rick Flag. Jai Courtney portrays the Aussie Digger Harkness, better known as Captain Boomerang. Jay Hernandez plays an incendiary gang member, Chato Santana/Diablo. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays the ferocious Waylon Jones/Killer Croc. Cara Delevingne stars as archaeologist Dr. June Moon/Enchantress. Karen Fukuhara plays the squad’s second-in-command, Katana. Adam Beach plays the master of rope, Christopher Weiss/Slipknot. Common has role as gangster, Monster T. Ike Barinholz plays a mean guard named Griggs. Scott Eastwood plays Lieutenant GQ Edwards, a member of Task Force X. Jim Parrack plays the Joker’s head henchman, Frost. Shailyn Pierre-Dixon plays Deadshot’s daughter, Zoe. There also may be a few DC characters in the film, but it’s best to keep those secret!

“Suicide Squad” immediately grabs your focus as soon as the opening logos begin and is relentless throughout, entertaining you with each passing scene. I don’t understand the early critical consensus at all; but they’re entitled to their opinions (as am I). First of all, “Suicide Squad” works so well because of its stellar and insanely well-casted characters. To begin, Robbie absolutely steals the show as Harley Quinn; as you never know what the next words out of her mouth will be or what emotion she’ll show. As the first ever live-action portrayal of the character, Margot Robbie sure set the bar impeccably high. Just a little behind her are Leto and Smith; Leto’s is the darkest and most-maniacal portrayal of the Joker to be seen on-screen yet and Smith offers plenty of his charm and well as comedic timing expertly. While I singled them out, the entire “squad” plays-well together, from costumes to mannerisms, and I can’t wait to see them again! “Suicide Squad” also has a phenomenal soundtrack; whether it’s the new original songs (from Twenty-One Pilots, Rick Ross & Skrillex, and many more) or foot-tapping familiar songs (like Eminem’s “Without Me” or Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”), each of them fits the scene perfectly and adds another element of “awesome” to the film!

Where “Suicide Squad” does have an issue though is its story. Writer/Director David Ayer had the nearly-impossible task of introducing us to so many new characters while connecting the film to the larger DCEU. Due to this, the film suffers with a partially uneven story, consisting of numerous flashbacks and an ever-changing tone; but the film’s greatest fault is its lack of a “memorable” villain. I feel the film could-have been an even greatest step-forward for the DCEU if there was a larger and more-important primary villain. The early critical consensus ripped the film to shreds over these few flaws, forgetting the rest of the magic that is “Suicide Squad”; its characters, action, style, sound, and everything else that combines to make it one of the most thoroughly entertaining films of the year! “Suicide Squad” has a run time of 123 minutes and it flows throughout. Make no mistake, “Suicide Squad” is a movie for the fans; full of thrilling and fist-pumping moments and throwbacks to the long history of DC! Is the film perfect? No, but its lovable and perfectly-cast group of characters combine to offer you one of the most entertaining films of 2016! David Ayer should be applauded for going-through the entire film-making process and staying true to HIS vision; making a comic book film for the fans to enjoy and sink their teeth into. And I absolutely loved it!

ALSO, BE SURE TO STAY DURING THE CREDITS FOR A VERY IMPORTANT SCENE!

“Suicide Squad” introduces a large band of villains to the new DCEU, forcing them to come-together to defeat an enemy much bigger than themselves. The film features plenty of action, incredibly-portrayed characters, a memorable soundtrack, and plenty of comic book fun. If you are going to the movies this weekend, I urge you to go see “Suicide Squad” and form your own opinion!!

4/5

SUICIDE SQUAD is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language, in theaters AUGUST 5TH!